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Blue Jean Gala Sealed Bid Auction

Proceeds from the Blue Jean Gala help ensure the continuation and growth of the Old Town School’s community ventures, financial aid, and education programs. You do not need to be in attendance at the Blue Jean Gala to participate!

Register and Bid on an Item

101

Make Me a Rockstar

Find your inner rockstar right here at Old Town School!

  • One year of private lessons in an instrument of your choice with a fabulous Old Town School teaching artist;
  • Free instrument rental for a year at the Old Town School Music Store;
  • Perform on an Old Town School stage with your teaching artist to show off your skills to all your friends and family. Includes an evening rental of our Armitage stage, complimentary drinks and bites.
  • Custom designed t-shirts will be provided for all your fans to wear!

Minimum Bid: $3,800

102

Meet Lyle Lovett and Take Home a Signed Guitar

The iconic Lyle Lovett is the newest member of Old Town School’s Blue Jean Gala family. After an unforgettable concert, you and a guest will be whisked away for an intimate meet and greet with the star. As a bonus, Lyle has signed a beautiful Collings CJ-45 T guitar to commemorate the occasion. This is a show-stopping opportunity for a show-stopping evening - - an experience you’ll never forget!

Must be a Blue Jean Gala ticket holder to participate in the meet & greet. Package pending artist approval.

Minimum Bid: $8,995

103

House Concert and OTS Stories with Michael J. Miles

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind house concert where master musician Michael J. Miles takes you on a musical journey sharing his wealth of stories about the Old Town School and his longtime friend, Pete Seeger. In addition to being a renowned specialist in banjo and guitar, Mr. Miles is a composer, writer and former Program Director at the School (1984-1998), as well as the principal architect for the educational initiatives that have put Old Town School on the map.

This is the perfect item for all musical history buffs and lovers of classic folk music.

Offered by Michael J. Miles (Some restrictions apply, mutually agreed upon date, valid thru September 1, 2025)

Minimum Bid: $1,000

104

Live in Your Living Room with Sons of the Never Wrong

It’s a musical dream come true: a private concert for you and friends – at your place – with Old Town School and Chicago fan-favorites Sons of the Never Wrong.

Sons of the Never Wrong - a trio comprised of master musicians Sue Demel, Deborah Maris Lader and Bruce Roper - have been gracing stages for over 30 years with their incredible, original, witty, whimsical songs, signature 3-part harmonies and gorgeous arrangements. Combining influences of folk, jazz, pop and rick, their odd-ball humor and spontaneous stories ignite the audiences at their live shows and have earned them a cult-like international following.

(Some restrictions apply, mutually agreed upon date, valid through December 31, 2025.)

Minimum Bid: $2,500

105

Forever Blue Jean Gala

Keep the magic of the Blue Jean Gala with you by reliving some of your favorite moments!

  • Dinner for two at Sojourn along with a movie at The Davis Theater
  • Neighborhood Restaurant Gift Certificates of $100 each: Bistro Campagne, DueLire Vino & Cucina, Fork, and Il Milanese.
  • Exclusive private tour and tasting for 15 guests at the KOVAL Distillery.
  • Plus, two tickets to our 2025 Blue Jean Gala!!

Minimum Bid: $1,800

106

All You Can Hear for a Year

Are you a huge fan of Old Town School concerts? Take the stress out of deciding which concerts to attend and enjoy them all with two (2) complimentary prime seats to any Old Town School of Folk Music concert from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025. The winning bidder will also receive VIP pre-sale ordering benefits throughout the year. Plus, enjoy your favorite Old Town School concerts from the comforts of your own named seat! Permanently add your name to the history of Old Town School of Folk Music's Gary and Laura Maurer Hall with an engraved nameplate on the back of a seat. Don't miss your chance to have your name be a part of Old Town Schools’ rich history

Restrictions and limitations do apply (Offer valid for a maximum of 40 tickets; benefit concerts, Songs of Good Cheer, offsite events and fundraisers do not apply. Seat naming and placement based on availability).

Minimum bid: $3,000

107

Take Me Out to a Cubs Ballgame & Stay the Night!

Autographed Cubs memorabilia, game tickets and a one night stay at Hotel Zachary!

  • Own a piece of Cubs history with special autographed memorabilia.
  • Two tickets to a Wrigley Field ballgame of your choice during the 2025 season.
  • Make a night of it and enjoy a one night stay at the stunningly beautiful Hotel Zachary conveniently located next to Wrigley Field.

(Restrictions apply and tickets and hotel stay based on availability). Offered by Marquee Development

Minimum Bid: $1,000

108

Eddie Vedder Signed Ukulele

The lead singer and guitarist from the iconic rock band Pearl Jam signed this beautiful Martin T1K Koa Tenor Ukulele before his most recent concert at Wrigley Field in August 2024. Vedder has referred to the ukulele as an “activist instrument” and the inspiration behind his second solo album Ukulele Songs released in 2011. Since the mid-1990’s when Vedder first picked up a ukulele at a Hawaiian convenience store, this instrument has served as his muse, traveling companion and songwriting tool. Let this beautiful Hawaiian koa ukulele signed by Vedder help you on your musical journey!

Minimum bid: Priceless

109

Ultimate Block Party

Be the coolest neighbor on your block next summer by offering up:

  • A 30 minute Wiggleworms class for all kids of all ages to enjoy.
  • A 90 minute set from a live Old Town School band/artist (in a genre of your choice)
  • Delicious food to feed your neighbors and friends from the Yum Dum Food Truck with a reserved 2 hour time block of your choice
  • A keg courtesy of Half Acre Brewing Company for your neighbors to enjoy

(Some restrictions apply, mutually agreed upon date, valid through September 20, 2025)

Minimum Bid: $3,500

110

Blackhawks “On the Glass” Experience

  • Four (4) “On the Glass” seats at the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Vancouver Canucks game on October 22, 2024 with one (1) parking pass in VIP Lot K.
  • Package includes exclusive access to complimentary food and beverages in the Concert Club, as well as in-seat wait service for complimentary drinks.

Offered by Magellan

Minimum Bid: $3,600

111

T Bone Burnett Signed Gretsch

Oscar and Grammy award winning artist, acclaimed musician, composer, and producer T Bone Burnett will be gracing our very own Maurer Hall stage for the first time on October 19th and 20th, 2024.

Don’t miss your chance to hear T Bone Burnett with 2 tickets to the 10/20/24 concert, meet him after the show and bring home this beautiful Gretsch G5230T Nick 13 Signature Electromatic®️ Tiger Jet™️ with Bigsby®️ guitar signed by T Bone himself!

Minimum bid: $1,000

112

Private Garden Party with Music at The Warbler

Enjoy a private three hour reception for 40 guests in The Warbler’s beautiful outdoor garden with access to an exclusive indoor space. Enjoy customized passed appetizers, food stations along with an open bar that includes a full selection of Warbler specialty cocktails, beer and wine. Add in an Old Town School musician and you’ve got a party that you and your guests will never forget!

(Some restrictions apply and mutually agreed upon dates. Valid Sunday through Thursdays from May 1 to September 30, 2025).

Minimum bid: $3,500

113

Crash Course in How to Old Town School

You and up to seven friends will enjoy a customized series of four (4) Old Town School of Folk Music signature workshops. Each workshop will include an hour of instruction with one of Old Town Schools’ renowned teaching artists. Choose from guitar, voice, songwriting, dance, harmonica, percussion, and more. Expand your skills in one area or bring family and friends together to make each day a different experience. Come explore Old Town School and discover your newest passion.

(Workshops will be scheduled at any time of your choice, balanced with teacher and potential room availability. Mutually agreed upon dates, valid thru October 1, 2025).

Minimum Bid: $900

Sealed Bid Rules

  • Follow the link below to place your bid. You must register with our online bidding platform, ClickBid, in order to place a bid.
  • Sealed bidding: Each bidder submits a bid(s) without knowing others’ bids. The highest bidder wins the item.
  • Bids will be accepted until 8pm.
  • Enter your maximum bid online. You may submit as many bids as you’d like.
  • Bids on sealed bid items will not be accepted or collected in the concert hall once the concert program begins.
  • Winning bids will be notified via text and email prior to Lyle Lovett taking the stage.
  • In the event of a tie, a blind drawing will take place between the tied bids.
  • The winner will be required to furnish their name, address and phone number

Please contact Anita O'Connell at aoconnell@oldtownschool.org with any questions.

Register and Bid on an Item

Blue Jean Gala Sponsors

PRESENTING SPONSOR

Barbara and Kenneth Kaufman
Martina Keller and Don McLellan
Anne and Don Phillips
Tomford and Grossman Family

PREMIER SPONSOR

Geraldine Keefe
Kish Khemani and Anita Chandwaney-Khemani
David Lentz
Magellan Corporation
Gary and Laura Maurer

CHAMPION SPONSOR

Susan Anderson & Bob Arthur
Gustavo Bamberger and Martha Van Haitsma
Jim Kastenholz and Jennifer Steans
Rob and Karen Ospalik

BENEFACTOR SPONSOR

Kenneth and Stacy Drost
Tom Liebman
Kim and Michael Moran
Pritzker Traubert Foundation
Michael and Michelle Warner
Anonymous

PATRON SPONSOR

John and Beth Andrews
Tim and Maureen Hunter
Julie Koerner
Sipi Metals Corp.
Anonymous

FRIEND

Dorothy and Seth Hemming
Welz Kauffman
Lori and Anthony Seaman
Betsy Solaro and Joe Frank

DONOR

Robin and Tony Armour
Franczek P.C.
Linda and Leo Gordon
Paula and Bill Lange
Candice Rosevear and Peregrine Economics
RUTH (a DJE Holdings Company)
Elizabeth and Timothy Simer
Peter Strand and Nora Preece

SUPPORTER

Stephen and Susan Baird
Mary Beth Berkoff and Brian Horwood
Jan Burnham and Ray Carney
Jacqui Cheng and Clint Ecker
Steve and Dorne Eastwood
Teri Gidwitz and Perry Bax
Susan Kessell
Paul Levy and Mia Park
Colleen Loughlin and John Sirek
Marquee Development
Jim and Susan Newcomb
Amy Pagliarella and Colm Foley
Oliver G. Prince Jr.
Gary Snyderman and Shauna Babcock
Linda Brummer-Welsh and Michael Welsh
Anonymous